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Justice News

Previously Convicted Felon Sentenced to 475 Months

PLANO, Texas – A 39-year-old Waxahachie, Texas man has been sentenced to federal prison for crimes committed in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales today.

Joshua Mark Ford was charged in an 8 count indictment by a federal grand jury for narcotics and firearms violations. Ford was convicted at trial of all 8 counts in January 2016. Ford was sentenced to 115 months for the narcotics offenses and 30 years on the firearms offenses that will run consecutively. The Honorable U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone pronounced the sentence earlier today.

According to information presented at trial, on November 23, 2012, Ford was stopped by Plano Police for a traffic offense. During the course of the stop, officers found a multitude of narcotics including methamphetamine and 2,150 grams of GHB (also known as the date rape drug). Ford was also in possession of 2 firearms at the time and had been previously convicted of a felony offense, which also involved GHB and firearms.

On June 26, 2013, Ford was arrested while attempting to sell 2 gallons of GHB. During the take down, Ford pulled a firearm from his waistband and attempted to shoot a police officer. Ford was shot during the incident.

This case was prosecuted as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative. Project Safe Neighborhoods is aimed at reducing gun and gang violence, deterring illegal possession of guns, ammunition and body armor, and improving the safety of residents in the Eastern District of Texas. Participants in the initiative include community members and organizations as well as federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Plano Police Department, the Denton Police Department, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tracey Batson and Ernest Gonzales.